System and method for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation
View Patent ↗System for increasing a target zone for electrical ablation includes a treatment control module executable by a processor. The control module directs a pulse generator to apply pre-conditioning pulses to subject tissue cells in a pre-conditioning zone to electroporation, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than a target ablation zone. After the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied, the control module directs the pulse generator to apply treatment pulses to electrically ablate the tissue cells in the target ablation zone. The pre-conditioning pulses cause the pre-conditioning zone to have a much higher conductivity so that the zone acts as a larger electrode area when the treatment pulses are applied, which result in a much larger target ablation zone than otherwise possible.
1. A method comprising the steps of:
positioning at least one electrode near a target ablation zone;
applying through the at least one positioned electrode a plurality of pre-conditioning pulses, wherein the pre-conditioning pulses are irreversible electroporation pulses and result in a pre-conditioning zone surrounding the at least one positioned electrode, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than the target ablation zone;
monitoring a current of the plurality of pre-conditioning pulses using a treatment control module; and
applying through the at least one positioned electrode a plurality of treatment pulses capable of irreversibly electroporating cells within the target ablation zone.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying the plurality of treatment pulses further comprises applying the plurality of treatment pulses in an amount sufficient to subject the target ablation zone to supra-poration.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of applying the plurality of pre-conditioning pulses further comprises applying pre-conditioning pulses that have a shorter pulse width than the treatment pulses.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of waiting at least 30 seconds to allow an electrical conductivity in the pre-conditioning zone to increase.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of waiting at least two minutes to allow an electrical conductivity in the pre-conditioning zone to increase.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
applying a test pulse through the at least one electrode after the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied; and
determining whether to repeat the application of the pre-conditioning pulses or proceed to application of the treatment pulses based on of a measured electrical conductivity.
7. A method comprising:
positioning at least one electrode near a target ablation zone;
applying through the at least one positioned electrode a plurality of pre-conditioning pulses, Wherein the pre-conditioning pulses are irreversible electroporation pulses and result in a pro-conditioning zone surrounding the at least one positioned electrode, the pre-conditioning zone being smaller than the target ablation zone;
monitoring for a change in an impedance of the plurality of pre-conditioning pulses using a treatment control module;
adjusting at least one pulse parameter of the plurality of pre-conditioning pulses if a change in the impedance of the plurality of pre-conditioning pulses is observed;
and
applying through the at least one positioned electrode a plurality of treatment pulses capable of irreversibly electroporating cells within the target ablation zone after the pre-determined impedance threshold has been met.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the pre-conditioning pulses and treatment pulses are delivered by a generator.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one pulse parameter of the plurality of pre-conditioning pulses comprises the voltage.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one pulse parameter of the plurality of pre-conditioning pulses comprises the number of pulses.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one pulse parameter of the plurality of pre-conditioning pulses comprises the duration of the pulses.
12. A method comprising the steps of:
positioning at least two electrodes near a target ablation zone;
applying through the positioned electrodes at least two pre-conditioning pulses, wherein the pre-conditioning pulses are irreversible electroporation pulses and result in a pre-conditioning zone, wherein the pre-conditioning zone is smaller than the target ablation zone;
monitoring a treatment parameter of the pre-conditioning pulses using a treatment control module; and
applying through the positioned electrodes a plurality of treatment pulses capable of irreversibly electroporating cells within the target ablation zone.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of monitoring is done in real time.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the treatment parameter comprises a change in current or a change in impedance.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the treatment control module continuously monitors the treatment parameter after the pre-conditioning pulses have been applied.
16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of:
displaying the monitored treatment parameter of the pre-conditioning pulses on a display unit.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein applying the pre-conditioning pulses results in an increase in conductivity to the pre-conditioning zone.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the pre-conditioning pulses and treatment pulses are delivered by a generator.
19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
adjusting a pulse parameter in response to the monitored treatment parameter.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the pulse parameter comprises voltage of the pre-conditioning pulses, number of the pre-conditioning pulses, or duration of the pre-conditioning pulses.